Process of lettering glass signs.



Patented Sept. I7, I901.

.1. L. THORPE.

PROCESS OF LETTERING GLASS s|Gns.-

ion filed Se t. 17', 1900.

(No Model.)

WWJJLU Afforngz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH L. THORPE, OF FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO AMOS H. LOWDEN, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

PROCESS OF LETTERING GLASS SIGNS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 682,769, dated September 1'7, 1901.

Application filed September 17, 1900. Serial No. 30,642. (No Specimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH L. THORPE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fairfield, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovementsin Processes ofLettering Glass Signs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to produce a process for making letters and designs on glass and similar substances, which is simple, cheap, and effective.

My invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same parts are indicated by the same let'- ters throughout the several views.

Figure I is a view ofthe reverse side of a glass sign, showing the letters outlined in tin-foil, the tin-foil surrounding part of the letters having been removed. Fig. II is a view of the reverse side of a glass sign to which the paint used for a background has been applied and from which the foil covering some of the letters has been removed. Fig. III is a view of the front side of a completed sign.

In carryinginto effect myimproved process the reverse surface of the glass A on which the letters or design is to be made is first covered with a transparent slow-drying cement,

preferably a solution consisting of one ounce of silicate of sodium dissolved in one gallon of pure water. On the surface so treated a sheet of tin-foil B is placed and pressed or rolled down smooth. The letters or design is then outlined in the tin-foil B, as indicated by letter D, and all of the foil except that which covers the letters or design is removed,

as shown by letter C. The paint or other substance E to be used for a background is then applied. After the paint or other substance used as a background is thoroughly dry the tin-foil which covers the letters .or design, as indicated by letter G, is removed by catching hold of it with the point of a knife or other sharp instrument, leaving that part of the glass or other substance perfectly clear, as shown by letter F. The clear portion can then be filled in or backed up in any manner desired. If so desired, the letters or design can be removed from the foil, thus leaving the balance of the surface covered or protected from the paint, and which when removed will leave all of the surface perfectly clear except the letters or design. The transparent slow-drying cement holds the tin-foil B firmly to the surface of the glass or other substance A, thus preventing the paint or other material E from getting under the edges thereof and causing the outline of the letters or design to be rough or irregular, but it does not hold the foil so firmly that it is not readily removed when desired. The surface of the glass or other substance from which the foil is thus removed is perfectly clear and does not require cleaning before proceeding with the work.

My improved process provides a means whereby the operator can outline his letters or design in the tin-foil with or without the use of a stencil or pattern, and one which holds the letters or design so cut out firmly on the surface to be operated upon as long as desired, and which when removed leaves the surface clear.

The letters or design can be outlined in the foil by any means desired, and, if so desired,

part of'the design can be removed at a time,

thus allowing several colors to be used in either the background or the letters, or both, with only one application of foil. The fact that the letters or design is cut out of the tin-foil after it is placed upon the surface to be acted upon facilitates the work, as it is difiicult to get the letters or design in position after it has been cut outin the foil.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The process of making letters or designs on glass and other smooth surfaces, consisting in first covering the surface with a thin coherent sheet by means of a slow-drying cement; second, outlining the design by cutting it in the said sheet; third, removing all of the said sheet except that which constitutes the design; fourth, painting the surface with an appropriate color; and fifth, removing the remainder of the thin coherent sheet; substantially as described.

, 2. The process of making letters or designs on glass and other smooth surfaces consisting the foil had last been removed, after the first 10 in first, covering the surface with a sloW-drycoat has become dry, with a material of coning cement; second, covering the surface with trasting color, substantially as described. metallic foil; third, outlining the design by In testimony whereof I aflix my signature cutting itin the foil; fourth, removing all the in presence of two witnesses.

foil except that which covers the design; JOSEPH L. THORPE. fifth, painting the surface with an appropriate W itnesses:

color; sixth, removing the remainder of the W. S. HATFIELD,

foil; seventh, covering the surface from which EDW. GANNIFF. 

